City replaces free parking with pay stations near Kits Beach
It will cost a little bit more to visit a popular Vancouver beach this summer by car, as the City has implemented pay parking in what used to be free parking spots.
There are a few areas near Kits Beach where the changes have been implemented, and this dates back to a plan the City put into motion last spring.
“To better utilize curb space in busy areas, staff are planning for and reviewing locations that may benefit from on-street pay parking. Over the next 2 years, staff anticipate that pay parking may be installed in all or portions of the following areas,” a March 2024 council document states.
One of those ‘busy areas’ is Kits Point.
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Before this change, the areas with pay parking systems installed near the Vancouver beach used to be two-hour free parking unless you had a permit, while these new spots are paid unless you have a permit.
According to the council doc, the areas impacted are “in the area bounded by Cornwall Avenue, Arbutus Street, Chestnut Street, and Ogden Avenue.”
Rates are relatively low, though that likely won’t appease folks who might have been used to paying zero dollars in the area. But it does create another source of revenue for the City.
Chandler Walter/Daily Hive
The timing of the new parking systems being implemented is notable as the weather is starting to take a turn for the better, and we are just a couple of months away from the summer season.
Some of the areas that are now paid include McNicoll between Cypress and Maple. Other spots still have free parking signs up as of Wednesday, April 9, including Cypress south of Creelman.
Chandler Walter/Daily Hive
Free parking signs are also still up on Whyte Avenue between Arbutus and Maple. However, Whyte Avenue, east of Maple, is now paid.
Chandler Walter/Daily Hive
The City of Vancouver shared a map of all the proposed areas where residents and visitors may see changes.
City of Vancouver
Last summer, pay parking was implemented at Spanish Banks.
Are you someone who drives to Kits Beach? Are you affected by the changes in any way? Let us know in the comments.
With files from Chandler Walter